Hungary approaching gas supplies pragmatically, currently no alternative to Gazprom - FM

BAKU. June 2 (Interfax) - Hungary is approaching issues of energy supplies pragmatically, Hungarian Foreign Affairs Minister Peter Szijjarto said.

"Russian gas accounts for 85% of gas consumed in Hungary. This is connected to infrastructure and the availability of gas. Therefore, we approach this issue pragmatically," Szijjarto said during the Baku Energy Forum on Thursday.

Until the throughput capacity of the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP), which runs through Georgia and Turkey to the Greek border from Azerbaijan and has a capacity of 16 billion cubic meters per year, is expanded, there is not alternative to talk about, he said.

"Until the throughput capacity of the TANAP pipeline is increased and investments are made, alternative sources of supplies look unrealistic for us," Szijjarto said.

Szijjarto said earlier that Hungary could begin purchasing gas from Azerbaijan in small quantities in 2023.